In a post-All-Star Game shocker, Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman is reporting tonight that the Milwaukee Brewers have acquried closer Francisco Rodriguez from the Mets for two players to be named later and cash. K-Rod’s racked up 23 saves for the Mets in the first half of the season, nearly matching his 2010 full season total of 25. As usual, he’s striking out tons of hitters (46 in 42 2/3 innings), though he is giving up quite a few more hits than normal this year, which is why his ERA (3.16) is a bit high.
The only number important to the cash-strapped Mets, though, is his $11.5 million salary and his vesting $17.5 million option. The option vests if Rodriguez finishes 21 more games this year and doctors declare him healthy when the season is over; if he stays healthy and in the closer’s role that’s pretty much a sure thing.
As a result, the Brewers can strengthen their bullpen for what could be a contentious second half in what’s currently a four-team race in the NL Central. The only relievers on the Brew Crew before this acquisition with an ERA+ of 100 are closer John Axeford, LaTroy Hawkins, and Serigio Mitre. That’s not exactly a trio I’d feel comfortable with a playoff spot on the line, and Doug Melvin obviously feels similarly. K-Rod may not be the same pitcher he was with the Angels, but he certainly makes the Brewers’ bullpen better. Presumably, though, Axeford will continue to finish his share of games to keep the Brewers from having to pay a reliever $17 million.
It’s hard to judge the trade without knowing more about the players to be named; one (or both) could be players drafted and signed after July 12, 2010 (players can’t be traded until they’ve been in a big league organization for one full year), which could provide more value than the typical PTBNL roster fodder. If the Brewers have given up a good prospect for Rodriguez, that seems like it might be a rash move, given the amount of relief pitching that trades hands at the deadline they could likely find a good reliever without giving as much up. With Prince Fielder facing free agency, though, the future is clearly now in Milwaukee and Melvin is acting accordingly.
For the Mets, it’s obviously a salary dump, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad one. They owed Rodriguez a ton of money and while he’s good, he’s no longer one of baseball’s top-tier relievers. They managed to get rid of him without having to deal with that insane option or the hassle of dancing around it as the season ends, and they may have gotten something in return. Really, just getting rid of the risk of that option makes it a good deal for the Mets even if they didn’t get much in return.
The first volley in the 2011 trade deadline market has been fired, just hours after the All-Star Game. What’s next?
